Gas-generating apparatus.



PATBNTBD FEB. 12, 1907.

G. M. s. TAIT. GAS GENERATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16, 1905.

doii m INVENTOR WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

GODFREY M. S. TAIT, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COMBUS- TIONUTILITIES COMPANY. OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GAS-GENERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 16,1906.

1'0 (LU whom it 7mm concern.-

Be it known that I, GODFREY M. S. Tal'r, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and a resident of Montclair, in the county of Essex and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generating Apparatus, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gas-producers of the downdrafttype; and the object of my improvement is to provide a means forgenerating from bituminous coal a clean pure gas rich in combustiblematter, which is eminently suited for use in internalexplosion engines.I attain this object by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, which depicts the producer in vertical section.

In the drawing, A is [no producenshell lined with fire-brick andsupported by the columns B B. The lower portion of the producer-liningis contracted to form a bosh. The shell A is not contracted at thispoint, but extends erpendicularly downward to the water seal II, asshown at G, thereby forming with the bosh and water-surface an annularpassage or gas-collecting chamber. From this chamber leads thegas-outlct flue C. At D is shown a twyer for admission of thedraft-current containing air or air and steam or carbon dioxid or othergasifying agent.

E is a hopper for the introduction of fuel, ordinarily of bituminouscoal, although other fuels, such as anthracite coal, coke, wood, orpeat, may be employed The producer is of such height that a fire ofsuitable gasifying depth may, at all times be maintaincd.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: As in usual producerpractice a fire is built up in the generating-011amber until of theproper depth. The draft-current is intrcduced through the twyer D eitherby suetion or pressure, passes downwardly through the fuel, and escapesthrough the ashes into thegas-collectin chamber and from thence throughthe outlet O to the place of consumption. As the ash at this oint ismoist, owing to the capillary attraction of thefine particles thereoffor the water of the water seal beneath, the contacting gas is cooledand purified and is brought into condition to be carried to a remoteplace of consumption Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Feb. 12,1907.

Serial No. 274,497.

without objectionably choking the conduits through which it passes bydeposition of soot and tar. l l I do not limit mys lf to the exactconstructional features he ain described. I believe that 1 am the hrs tomake use of the purifying action 1 oducer-gas of the moist ash contiguouwith the water seal, and therefore believe 1 am broadly entitled to suchfeatures of construction as will accomplish. this end. herefore I do notlimit myself to a hopper or hoppers for the introduction ,of the fuel,as in the case of operation by suction simply an opening in the producer-roof will suffice, nor do I limit myself to the in.- troduction ofthe fuel in the upper part of the producer solely nor to the form oftwyer as shown, for the draft may be admitted in any other suitablemanner -in the case of a sue-- tion-producer through the hopper orthrough other openings in the producer roof or sides.

The present form or twyer is suitable for fuels which have a tendency tocontract during combustion, thereby forming free passage for the draftaround the fuel mass. The central admission of the draft, as shown,permits of a uniform dispersion thereof ihroughimt the fire. The cnstruction of the boshes and lower portion G of the shell may begreatlyvaried, as is evident. It is not essential that the gas-colleetingchamber entirely surround the bosh, and if built in several sectionseach section may be equipped with an outlet, if desired. In case it isdesired to avoid constriction in the lower portion of the producer theinterior walls may be made pcrpendicular and the gas-collecting chamberbe constructed with projecting exterior walls.

The level of the water of the water seal may be varied as desired inorder to receive a greater or less filtration-surface. If the water isbrought to the level of the lower por tion of the bushes, the gas willbubble through the water, thereby clfccting an additional purification.The ashes which are removed from the producer are impregnated to greateror less extent with tarry and other carbonaceous matter. if thisberonsiderable in amount, the ash may be drained or driozl and use '3 asa fuel, for the pormis nature of the ash often such that the tar iseasily hurue'l therefrom under circnu'istauces which would preclude thecombo-lion of tar alone without a carrier of some sort.

gas-outlet pipe tapping the gas-chamber, a water-sealing device adaptedto maintain a normal liquid-level below the end of the producer andabove the end of the collar, and an air-draft-i'nlet pipe at the upperend of the produce.

SIgned at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 10th day of August, A. D. 1905.

GODFREY M. S. TAIT.

Witnesses:

WARREN E. DIXON, JAs. K. CLARK.

